21 Examples of “Interests”: How to Answer and Ask

At a Glance

One of the first questions you’ll hear in Japanese — whether meeting a new coworker, going on a language exchange, or making friends — is: “趣味は何ですか？” (What are your hobbies?) Being able to answer naturally, and ask the same question back, is a gateway to real Japanese conversation. This guide covers everything from classic hobby vocabulary to casual, expressive phrases like 〜にハマっている.

Yuka

趣味は何ですか？
Shumi wa nan desu ka?
What are your hobbies?

Rei

趣味は読書と映画鑑賞です。
Shumi wa dokusho to eiga kanshou desu.
My hobbies are reading and watching movies.

How to Say Your Hobby: 趣味は〜です

The most straightforward way to state a hobby is the pattern 趣味は〜です. Note that after 趣味は, you use the noun form of an activity, often with する verbs nominalized or expressed as nouns.

A: 趣味は料理です。
A: Shumi wa ryouri desu.
A: My hobby is cooking.

B: 趣味はゲームと音楽です。
B: Shumi wa geemu to ongaku desu.
B: My hobbies are gaming and music.

Common hobbies vocabulary:

〜にハマっている — “I’m Really Into ~”

〜にハマっている is a casual, expressive phrase that means you are hooked on or obsessed with something — more intense than just “I like it.” It implies you’ve been spending a lot of time on it recently.

Structure: [Activity/thing] + にハマっている

A: 最近、韓国ドラマにハマっています。
A: Saikin, Kankoku dorama ni hamatte imasu.
A: I’ve been really into Korean dramas lately.

B: このゲームにハマって、毎日やっている。
B: Kono geemu ni hamatte, mainichi yatte iru.
B: I’m hooked on this game and play it every day.

C: 最近ハマってることある？ — Is there anything you’ve been into lately? (Very casual, great for conversation)

好き vs 興味がある — Like vs Interested In

Both express positive feelings toward something, but with different nuances.

A: 日本語に興味があります。
A: Nihongo ni kyoumi ga arimasu.
A: I’m interested in Japanese.

B: 特に古典音楽が好きです。
B: Toku ni koten ongaku ga suki desu.
B: I particularly like classical music.

How to Elaborate on Your Interests

Once you’ve stated your hobby, use these patterns to give more detail and keep the conversation going.

A: 趣味は写真撮影で、特に風景写真が好きです。
A: Shumi wa shashin satsuei de, toku ni fuukei shashin ga suki desu.
A: My hobby is photography, and I especially like landscape photography.

B: 週に3回ジムに行っています。
B: Shuu ni san-kai jimu ni itte imasu.
B: I go to the gym three times a week.

C: 最近は特にジャズにハマっていて、よくライブに行きます。
C: Saikin wa toku ni jazu ni hamatte ite, yoku raibu ni ikimasu.
C: Lately I’ve been really into jazz and often go to live shows.

Yuka

何か趣味ありますか？
Nanika shumi arimasu ka?
Do you have any hobbies?

Rei

最近、旅行にハマっています！週末はよく遠出しています。
Saikin, ryokou ni hamatte imasu! Shuumatsu wa yoku toode shite imasu.
I’ve been really into travelling lately! I often take trips on weekends.

Quick Quiz

1. How do you say “My hobby is cooking” in Japanese?
Answer: 趣味は料理です（しゅみはりょうりです）

2. What does 〜にハマっている mean?
Answer: I’m into ~ / hooked on ~ (intense casual interest)

3. What is the difference between 好きです and 興味があります?
Answer: 好き = active enjoyment; 興味がある = intellectual curiosity/interest

4. How do you ask “What are your hobbies?” informally?
Answer: 趣味は何？or 何か趣味ある？

5. What is the Japanese word for “photography” as a hobby?
Answer: 写真撮影（しゃしんさつえい）

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